This volunteer, non-profit organization supports agricultural fairs, shows, exhibitions, and expositions held at the state, provincial, regional, and local levels, and is composed of members of state and provincial fair associations, non-agricultural expositions and festivals, associations, businesses, and individuals who provide related goods and services.

Founded in 1885 with six fairs in its roster, the IAFE, headquartered in Springfield, Missouri since 1980, currently represents more than 1,100 fairs worldwide and more than 900 members from related industries, and has consistently upheld its commitment to the mission of supporting and encouraging the growth and enhancement of agricultural fairs, exhibitions, and expositions.

“The IAFE was created to act as kind of a clearinghouse for fairs to get together to discuss their common problems, to come up with common standards they can work with to avoid having competing dates with one another—especially state fairs—and come up with policies,” explains President Marla Calico, who also has happens to have access to a vital but long out-of-print book that covers the history of agricultural affairs. Published in 1935, The Agricultural Fair by Wayne Caldwell Neely provides one of the best sources of fair history to this day.

The original fairs started before the United States was even its own country, Calico adds, referencing one fair that still operates in Pennsylvania that was granted a license prior to 1776 to operate as a fall agricultural market. A proliferation of county fairs, especially up and down the eastern seaboard, along with burgeoning state fairs, led to the need for organization.

“There came a time when fairs hadn’t quite found their purpose,” says Calico. “This created a need to come together to make sure that we were taking this industry as a whole—and something that’s a part of our culture—forward.”

This led to annual meetings, conventions and newsletters, a magazine, and then email, e-newsletters, and websites to help keep everyone organized.

“We are very much an organization that throughout its history has existed for connecting and getting information and education out there so our member fairs can do a better job,” says Calico. “Fairs across the globe are part and parcel of their community. We want them to continue to be able to do that for more generations to come.”

To qualify as a member fair—of which there are more than 1,000 today around the globe—there must be an agricultural component at the heart of the organization and activity. For the majority of members, a traditional county or state fair involves a livestock show which may have exhibitors of all species of animals, either strictly limited to kids or open shows for adults. But that isn’t the sole type of agriculture—there are Strawberry Festivals, for example, in both Texas and Florida. Featuring entertainment, activities for youth, competitions (other than agricultural), a carnival, entertainment, and food and beverage options separates fairs from festivals, theme parks, church bazaars, and fundraiser events.

Calico adds that it’s “quite typical” for everyone across the industry to exhibit passion about their roles with agricultural fairs, particularly when it comes to education. “I’ve spent almost my entire adult life in the sector and I love it,” she says. “It’s the type of thing where, if the bug bites you so to speak, it really bites you.”

The organization’s educational efforts involve a printed magazine distributed to its members along with an email production called The News Brief sent out three times a week to 7,000 subscribers, featuring news stories regarding peers in related businesses and items of interest pointing members to new educational opportunities, meetings, or resources. “We rely heavily upon that method of communication to get information out to people, so it’s extremely important,” says Calico. “It’s what I really think is at the heart of what we do.”

Additionally, a foundation called the IAFE Education Foundation, a not-for-profit, was created with the sole purpose of raising money for the organization’s Institute of Fair Management College. The college offers a series of short courses that an individual can take rather at their leisure; once enrolled in the program, participants have six years to collect credits for all courses.

“It’s a basic introduction to some core concepts that everyone involved in fairs today needs to know,” says Calico. “There are a couple of courses on human resources, on finances, programs to remind you of the importance of the agriculture component of a fair, components for carnival, and components on security, safety, and insurance.”

Currently, there are 36 separate courses that must be completed before graduating.

“The success of this has been absolutely unbelievable,” Calico shares. “Today there are probably 300 to 400-plus people who’ve graduated from the program.”

And some positive results have come out of it, she adds, with some great white papers and toolkits that benefit the entire industry. “The addition of this education component has been key to what we’re doing and how we’re continuing to provide what we can to help the fair industry grow and continue to celebrate agricultural shows,” she says.

This is all excellent news for the future of fairs in general, whether in a little village in southwestern Ontario or in the entire state of Iowa. “They exist to serve that community and bring the community together to highlight the very best of the community,” Calico says. “It becomes part of the social fabric, and what’s key is how that fair individually reacts to external circumstances, some beyond their control, and some that they need to adapt to.”

Adapting to changes can include how to build a better website to reach people and develop improved communication to help fairs continue to grow and flourish and keep them relevant in changing times. In the age of electronics, Calico has seen robotics and STEM competitions introduced to several fairs, which introduces an entirely new and diverse generation to the organization.

“I think as long as there are fairs, there is going to be a role for us to play, but we have to be flexible and agile. So that means our team has to be looking at the cutting edge, that we have to have our ear to the ground. We’ve got to say, ‘is there a role for artificial intelligence in the fair industry, and what can we do?’ We have to be proactive.”

One of the organization’s biggest projects at the moment involves addressing the disconnect between today’s consumer and their understanding of food production.

“It’s not universal to every city and village, but we have people almost everywhere who think that milk comes from a grocery store and they don’t even know it comes from a cow,” says Calico. “They think it comes from an almond tree. We have people who will do everything in their power to help stop production agriculture. There are people who believe so strongly that animals should not be utilized in any sense of the word that they’re going to determine what you eat.”

With strong financial support from a number of its members, the association recently completed a consumer research study to find out what people know about their food, who they trust for information about their food, and what opportunities and obligations there are for fairs to fill that gap.

Another critical role the association has to play in regard to the health, financial stability, and future of its members is in mobile amusements and carnivals. “What most people don’t know is that the number of operating mobile amusement companies in the United States alone has dropped by 50 percent in the last 10 years,” says Calico. “But there hasn’t been a commensurate drop of 50 percent of the number of fairs; that number has remained steady. So that means that fewer carnivals are trying to play the same number of fairs. Some small fairs, particularly in rural areas, can no longer get a carnival to operate. They don’t exist.”

One of the reasons for this comes down to the lifestyle of being out on the road for much of the year. “We’re seeing in what had been multi-generational family operations—particularly after the pandemic—that the next generation is saying they don’t want to work that way and take those risks. They want something different for their family.”

State regulations also play a role. Many states have created a prevailing wage for workers when bringing in a carnival, so no matter who is hired, whether it’s a foreign worker with an HTB or a local worker, state minimum wages no longer apply.

“Some states have also created an onerous system of inspection—not just one inspection, but an inspection and a fee every single time you set up,” says Calico. “And then there is the cost of doing business with carnivals operating on diesel fuel with prices that have stabilized at extraordinarily high rates. There’s also insurance, the cost of a new ride, and a carnival has to stay competitive just like any other business, by bringing new offerings to the table.”

Those new offerings are hard to come by, as Calico believes there are no longer any manufacturers of rides in the United States; rides can only be purchased primarily from Europe.

“Those things make it very, very difficult to continue in that particular business,” she says. “That core agricultural piece is at the heart of what you do, but if you think about the business, agriculture is a loss leader. You’ve got to have it front and center, but agriculture competitions in and of themselves don’t pay the way; you need to have other revenue. Consequently, that’s why fairs have entertainment.”

That’s also why they lease space to food vendors and food trucks, why they have an admission charge, and why they work with carnivals—so there’s a funding stream to support that core mission of agriculture. “You can see how that goes hand-in-hand,” says Calico. “For the fairs to survive, the carnivals have to survive as well.”

Despite these ongoing challenges, however, Calico has only positive things to say about her time spent in the business.

“Sometimes I think I have the greatest job in the world because I get to go out and visit our members where they are, see their operations, celebrate with them, and help them. So I think it’s a pretty cool job!”

And it’s a job she’s striving to keep going for many years to come. “Almost every year someone from the media will say, ‘why are fairs still going on? Are they actually still relevant?’ And the answer is yes,” says Calico. “Do fairs look different than they did 200 years ago? To a certain extent, yes. They sometimes look wildly different, but still, the core of a county fair state fair or regional fair is about bringing people together.”

The post The Fair Necessities: Bringing Communities Together through Candy, Carnivals, and Cattle<p class="company">International Association of Fairs & Expos</p> appeared first on Business In Focus Magazine.

While the fair is an experience not to be missed, the Illinois State Fair has found a way to be a permanent and invaluable member of the community, particularly in times of need. For instance, during the pandemic, it became a site for vaccination and testing clinics. It also offers a farmers market to improve community access to fresh food and serves as a vehicle to promote the state’s number one industry: agriculture.

A rich history
Since the 1800s, the Illinois State Fair has served as a platform for the state to promote its primary industry and economic driver while bringing affordable entertainment to the people of Illinois, as well as the many visitors from outside the state and country each year.

“The Illinois Department of Agriculture’s oversight of the Illinois State Fair and Fairgrounds are a testament to the importance of agriculture in Illinois,” says Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II. “In addition to the annual fair, our state fairgrounds showcase Illinois’ number one industry throughout the year through livestock and horse shows and our annual Illinois Products Expo. These events bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to our fairgrounds every year and the continued investment in the infrastructure of the fairgrounds is a testament to the priority and commitment to our agriculture community by this administration.”

“Many fairgoers think of corndogs and concerts and carnival rides when they think of the state fair; at the heart of it all, we’re an annual showcase for Illinois agriculture, so showcasing our state’s number one industry will always be a long-term goal,” shares Illinois State Fair Manager, Rebecca B. Clark.

She notes, “Back then, the fair was designed to promote not only best practices in agriculture and raising livestock, but also displays of improvements of labor and industry, education, and science. Today, the Illinois State Fair continues to showcase Illinois’ agricultural history, our educational values, and the future of our state’s number one industry while also providing top-notch, affordable, family-friendly entertainment.”

Throughout its rich history, the Illinois State Fair has called twelve different cities in Illinois home since it was first held in Springfield in 1853, where it eventually returned in 1894 and has remained for over 100 years. The Fairgrounds have hosted what would become remarkable moments in history, from Senator Stephen Douglas’ speech and Abraham Lincoln’s rebuttal the following day in 1854, to President John F. Kennedy addressing Illinoisans in the iconic Coliseum.

The first permanently located fair took place in September 1894 and since that time the Fairgrounds have changed significantly. With several enclosed and open-air facilities, it is the ideal venue for concerts, races, livestock shows, and rodeos, as well as public and private events including weddings, conferences and conventions, trade shows, and so much more.

The Fairgrounds
With over 150 buildings and facilities including the world’s fastest dirt track, four indoor arenas and an outdoor arena, a grandstand, and countless barns and stalls for livestock and horses, there is a great balance of new and historic buildings on the 366-acre Illinois State Fairgrounds.

One of the most iconic buildings is The Coliseum, constructed in 1901. Clark explains that many consider it to be the “Crown jewel of our Fairgrounds.” The large, three-story oval-shaped amphitheater is regarded for its pristine footing, making it perfect for equestrian, canine, and livestock exhibitions.

Its range of barns, paddocks, and pavilions, as well as its livestock centers, have made the Fairgrounds renowned countrywide for its ability to host large-scale agricultural events. It also boasts a 300-site campground that can accommodate motor homes, RVs, fifth wheels, and tents from April 1 through October 31.

As a historic fairground on the national registry, significant investments are being made. Clark explains that thanks to investments from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Administration, the Illinois State Fairgrounds are in the middle of an $80 million capital improvement plan, making key structural improvements and addressing infrastructure needs like roads and other maintenance to enhance accessibility and function.

“Being located on historic fairgrounds where buildings date back to the Teddy Roosevelt Administration, the upkeep is critical,” explains Clark. Referred to as a “game changer,” the investment will afford year-round use of the facility—and just in time for the 2024 Northern American Belgian Championship, an international show that will see around 800 draft horses, as well as the 2025 Clydesdale Show, the World Palomino Show, and more.

More than a midway
Having wrapped up this year’s festivities, the Illinois State Fair team is gathering feedback and already working hard on upcoming events for 2024. Next year, the fair will run from August 8 to 18 and as always, will be kicked off with the annual Twilight Parade, a Springfield tradition.

“We have an Ag Day breakfast where we celebrate the achievements of our state’s number one industry, and we have two carnivals, a carnival that is geared toward older kids and a smaller carnival that is geared toward younger kids. We host five days of harness racing, two days of auto racing, truck and tractor pulls, demolition derbies, monster trucks, and we have a Veteran’s Day celebration each year,” Clark explains.

“Our entertainment lineup definitely attracts visitors from throughout the Midwest and our competitive and livestock events are pulling the best and the brightest to compete on the largest stage in the state for top agricultural prizes,” she adds.

The 11-day event even draws people from around the world. Its newest attraction, the Route 66 Experience, is one of the biggest draws for international visitors and pays tribute to the historic highway on which the Fairgrounds are located.

“We are one of the few, if not the only fairgrounds located on Route 66, so our community recently came together to build a new exhibit that’s dedicated to the mother road, and it really showcases all the great things that you find on Illinois’ path of Route 66 from Chicago to St. Louis,” including historic giants like the Muffler Man and a neon sign park that is ripe with nostalgia.

“It’s really a breathtaking view of Americana. The exhibit is open year-round. It’s a self-guided tour that is already attracting international visitors and will continue to grow, especially as we head into the Route 66 centennial celebration in 2026,” says Clark of an experience that is not to be missed.

Creating an experience
In an age where entertainment options are a dime a dozen, the Illinois State Fair continues to work hard to pay homage to its roots while modernizing to remain relevant. The goal is to be an affordable, accessible source of entertainment in a highly competitive market.

Clark acknowledges, “Entertainment dollars are stretched and so it’s really important that we are offering a new and relevant experience that makes families want to spend those precious entertainment dollars at our venue. Making yourself relevant while keeping all the staples is a delicate balance, but if you’re not staying relevant, you’re really losing out.”

To remain Illinoisians’ first choice for summer fun, the Illinois State Fair is bringing in fresh new ideas to appeal to today’s fairgoers. The newly introduced Selfie Gallery was a smash hit and offers 12 individual photo booths and two group photo booths for people to enjoy and share with social media, commemorating their time at the fair. It must be working, too, because the fair saw more than 700,000 visitors last year, which exceeded pre-pandemic attendance records.

“Not only have we now rebounded from COVID levels, [our competitive events are] surpassing levels that we haven’t seen before, but with that comes a need to improve our facilities to accommodate larger shows,” Clark explains.

Undoubtedly, with this level of impact, the Illinois State Fair and Fairgrounds are a major economic driver for the local and state economies, but it is more than just a revenue generator. It is a premier public facility in the state—a place where people are having experiences and making memories year-round that will last a lifetime thanks to the sponsors, the staff, and the volunteers who make it possible each year.

Looking ahead
As always, people should stay tuned for the carnival midway lineup. It promises many of the same fan favorites that people have come to love with new and exciting additions that will elevate the offering for all to enjoy.

The Illinois State Fair adopted a Sensory Friendly Fair initiative that creates a safe space for individuals with sensory processing disorders. The initiative began in 2023 and will continue to grow to make the fair accessible and welcoming to all.

“Last year we launched a Sensory Friendly Fair initiative and we’re looking forward to growing and improving that initiative in 2024. Recognizing that the fair can be overstimulating and overwhelming for some individuals, the Illinois State Fair has created a designated area on the fairgrounds to aid individuals and families who need a moment to regroup. Coupling this with modifications to select programming in order to create a softer, more calming environment for children and adults who suffer from sensory processing sensitivities, the Illinois State Fair charted a path to increase accessibility and inclusivity,” Clark shares.

Next year, with more investments planned and newer, innovative ideas taking shape, the Illinois State Fair will continue to surpass expectations as a stage for the state’s history and culture to be showcased and a fun, affordable, family-friendly venue for countless forms of entertainment, while also serving as an invaluable part of the local and state economy and community.

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